Yankees Top Reliever Suffers Shoulder Injury
May 17, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Fernando Cruz (63) pitches against the New York Mets during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Brad Penner-Imagn Images
A late-inning reliever for the New York Yankees is currently dealing with an injury that's kept him out of the team's last few contests.
After the Yankees defeated the Texas Rangers in dramatic fashion with a walk-off home run during the second game of their three-game series, manager Aaron Boone told reporters that right-hander Fernando Cruz is battling through shoulder issues.
Boone added that the club is hopeful Cruz will be available in the near future after imaging didn't reveal anything significant.
The 35-year-old last pitched during the Subway Series against the New York Mets on May 17. In that outing, Cruz went 1 1/3 innings and allowed the game-winning run on a Francisco Lindor sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth inning. Just 13 of his 26 pitches were strikes as he both walked and hit a batter, perhaps foreshadowing his ailment.
Cruz has been nothing short of superb thus far in his lone season with the Yankees. After arriving via trade in the deal that sent Jose Trevino to the Cincinnati Reds this past December, he has posted a 2.66 ERA with a 2.47 FIP, 13.31 K/9, 3.04 BB/9 and 0.97 WHIP through 23 1/3 frames spread across 21 outings.
His splitter was one of the more effective offerings in the major leagues last year, generating a run value of 10 according to Baseball Savant, and it's remained lethal in 2025.
Cruz has thrown it 215 times, making it the most-used pitch in his arsenal at 57.5 percent, and opposing batters are hitting a paltry .155 against it while also whiffing at a 57.8 percent clip.
A journeyman who bounced around the minor league systems of the Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs with several independent ball stints mixed in before finally cracking the Reds' big-league roster in 2022, Cruz has come out of nowhere and developed into one of the game's best relievers.
Just the mention of a shoulder injury is enough to make any team or player shudder, but it appears as though the Yankees and Cruz side-stepped a worst-case scenario.
Related articles
Steelers Ink 1st-Round Beast Derrick Harmon to $17.9M Deal—Set to Start Day One!
Steelers Release Statement After Death of Derrick Harmon's Mom
Sabres’ Kevyn Adams not interested in trading JJ Peterka; Buffalo makes recalls from Rochester-1741515779-q80.webp "Who Will Earn Boston Red Sox Backup Catcher Role?")
Who Will Earn Boston Red Sox Backup Catcher Role?The Latest
9-1-1's Angela Bassett Adds Fuel to Fan Theory Bobby's Still Alive
9-1-1 star Angela Bassett has responded to a fan theory surrounding Bobby's shocking Season 8 death. Fans have been hoping for the character to return to the series despite his demise. During an appearance on Good Morning America, Bassett talked about Peter ...
-1747923104-q80.webp "A Young and the Restless Shocker! Does Claire Have a Secret Evil Twin?!")
A Young and the Restless Shocker! Does Claire Have a Secret Evil Twin?!
What if Claire isn’t the only “miracle child” Jordan manipulated? Just when we thought The Young and the Restless had exhausted the chaos surrounding Claire Grace, a wild theory is shaking up Genoa City: What if Claire isn’t the only “miracle ...
Penguins Facing Competition for Top Candidate; Interviews Next Week
The Pittsburgh Penguins had a very good introductory video chat with Washington Capitals assistant coach Mitch Love. The conversation was among their first round of conversations to fill the vacancy created when general manager Kyle Dubas decided that Mike Sullivan ...
-1747922826-q80.webp "Lulu Confronts Lois About Gio — and Curtis Makes a Decision About His Marriage")
Lulu Confronts Lois About Gio — and Curtis Makes a Decision About His Marriage
Backstage at the ball, Lucy, with Sebastian by her side, says, “It’s showtime!” Drew and Willow walk in together, and Carly, Olivia, Nina, Sonny, and others give them a look. Willow departs to change for her number. Act I — Holiday Lucy takes ...
Brad Shaw Swaps Philadelphia Flyers for Big Division Rival
According to a report Wednesday, former Philadelphia Flyers interim head coach Brad Shaw has picked his next coaching destination in the NHL. And he's not going very far. Per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, Shaw, 61, has latched on with big Metropolitan ...
-1744452977-q80.webp "Victoria Lee Robinson Finally Details Her Relationship with Ex Leonardo DiCaprio")
-1741938429-q80.webp "Bobby Brink’s Big Night Helps Flyers Snap Skid Against Lightning")
